$5,173 to $5,284 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa
Arrival in Entebbe – Welcome to the Pearl of Africa
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your professional driver-guide who will brief you about the journey ahead before transferring you to your hotel. The drive through Entebbe is relaxed and scenic, with glimpses of Lake Victoria and lush greenery offering a gentle introduction to Uganda’s natural beauty.
Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a leisurely evening within the hotel gardens or along the lakeshore, where your first birding opportunities await. Expect to spot species such as the African fish eagle calling across the water, pied kingfishers hovering above the shoreline, and various weavers and sunbirds in the gardens. This is a perfect opportunity to ease into the rhythm of the safari while recovering from your journey.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe (City)
- Accommodation:
- 2 Friends Beach Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Mabamba Shoebill Experience – Transfer to Masindi (Budongo Forest)
Mabamba Shoebill Experience – Transfer to Masindi (Budongo Forest)
Your day begins early with a transfer to Mabamba Swamp, a well- listed wetland and one of the most reliable places in Africa to find the elusive shoebill stork. Setting off in a traditional canoe, you will glide quietly through narrow papyrus channels as the morning mist lifts, creating a magical atmosphere for birding. The calm waters and dense vegetation host a rich variety of wetland species including African jacana, malachite kingfisher, swamp flycatcher, and papyrus specialists.
After this rewarding birding experience, you will return to Entebbe for lunch before beginning your journey northwest towards Masindi, the gateway to Budongo Forest Reserve. The drive offers a gradual transition from urban settings to rural countryside, with rolling hills, farmlands, and roadside birding opportunities along the way. You will arrive in the evening and settle into your accommodation, surrounded by the quiet charm of this historic town.
- Main Destination:
- Budongo Forest (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
-
Masindi Hotel
Wildlife in Budongo Forest
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Budongo Forest – Deep Forest Birding Immersion
Budongo Forest – Deep Forest Birding Immersion
After an early breakfast, you will enter the forest as it comes alive with sound—the dawn chorus echoing through towering mahogany trees and dense undergrowth.
Guided walks along well-established forest trails provide opportunities to observe a wide range of species including the chocolate-backed kingfisher, yellow-footed flycatcher, forest robin, and various greenbuls. Budongo is particularly known for its mixed-species feeding flocks, which can offer exciting bursts of activity as different birds move together through the canopy and understory.
In the afternoon, you will continue exploring different sections of the forest, focusing on quieter trails and forest edges where both birdlife and primates such as red-tailed monkeys and black-and-white colobus are often encountered. The experience is slow-paced and deeply rewarding, allowing you to fully appreciate the complexity and beauty of this ancient forest ecosystem.
- Main Destination:
- Budongo Forest (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Masindi Hotel
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer to Murchison Falls – Top of the Falls Experience
Transfer to Murchison Falls – Top of the Falls Experience
After a relaxed morning with optional birding around Masindi, you will proceed to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and oldest conservation area. The drive introduces you to a new landscape of open savannah, scattered acacia trees, and distant views of the Albertine Rift.
Upon arrival, you will visit the iconic top of the falls, where the Nile River dramatically forces itself through a narrow 7-meter gorge before plunging 45 meters below. The sheer power and thunderous roar of the water create an unforgettable sensory experience. The surrounding cliffs and rocks also provide excellent birding opportunities, including sightings of rock pratincoles and various raptors riding the thermals above the falls.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Accommodation:
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Murchison Falls NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Murchison Falls – Sunrise Birding & Classic Game Drive
Murchison Falls – Sunrise Birding & Classic Game Drive
You will set out at dawn for a morning birding session across the expansive savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park. The early hours are ideal, as both birds and mammals are most active, and the soft golden light enhances visibility and photography.
Expect to encounter iconic savannah bird species such as the Abyssinian ground hornbill striding across the plains, secretary birds hunting in the grasslands, and a variety of eagles, vultures, and bee-eaters. The landscape itself is breathtaking, with wide open views occasionally interrupted by herds of giraffes, elephants, and buffalo.
In the afternoon, you will embark on a classic game drive deeper into the park, tracking predators such as lions and possibly leopards while continuing to enjoy the park’s rich birdlife. The combination of birding and big game viewing makes this one of the most dynamic days of the safari.
- Main Destination:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Accommodation:
- Pakuba Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Nile Delta Birding – Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest
Nile Delta Birding – Scenic Transfer to Kibale Forest
Begin the day with an early excursion to the Nile Delta, one of the most productive birding areas within Murchison Falls National Park. This wetland area is a haven for waterbirds and papyrus specialists, and with some luck, you may encounter the shoebill once again in a different setting.
After the morning activity, you will embark on a long but scenic drive southwards to Kibale National Park. The journey passes through changing landscapes—savannah, rural villages, tea plantations, and crater lakes—offering continuous visual interest and occasional birding stops along the way. You will arrive in the late afternoon or evening and settle into your forest lodge.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Kibale Forest – Morning Birding & Chimpanzee Trekking
Kibale Forest – Morning Birding & Chimpanzee Trekking
After an early breakfast, you will head into Kibale National Park for a rewarding morning birding session. The forest is alive with activity, offering opportunities to spot species such as greenbuls, forest flycatchers, hornbills, and the striking great blue turaco gliding through the canopy.
In the afternoon, you will take part in chimpanzee trekking, one of the most exciting primate experiences in Africa. Accompanied by experienced rangers, you will track a habituated group of chimpanzees through the forest, following vocalizations and signs until you encounter them. Observing their social interactions, feeding habits, and playful behavior at close range is both thrilling and deeply memorable.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Bigodi Wetland Birding – Transfer to Semuliki
Bigodi Wetland Birding – Transfer to Semuliki
This morning, you will explore the renowned Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary near Kibale, a community-managed conservation area celebrated for its exceptional bird diversity. The guided walk takes you through swamp, grassland, and forest edge habitats, offering sightings of species such as the papyrus gonolek, great blue turaco, and various weavers and warblers.
After lunch, you will transfer to Semuliki National Park, descending into the Albertine Rift Valley. The change in altitude and ecosystem is immediately noticeable, as you enter a lowland tropical forest environment that is more closely related to Central Africa than East Africa.
- Main Destination:
- Semuliki National Park
- Accommodation:
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
Semuliki – Specialized Lowland Forest Birding & Hot Springs
Semuliki – Specialized Lowland Forest Birding & Hot Springs
Spend the morning exploring the forest trails of Semuliki National Park, one of Uganda’s most unique birding destinations. This park is home to numerous Guinea-Congo biome species that are rarely found elsewhere in East Africa, making it particularly exciting for avid birders.
The birding here is slow and deliberate, often requiring patience and careful observation as you listen for calls and watch for subtle movements in the dense vegetation. In the afternoon, you will visit the Sempaya Hot Springs, where boiling water erupts from the ground in dramatic fashion—a fascinating natural phenomenon set within lush surroundings.
- Main Destination:
- Semuliki National Park
- Accommodation:
- Semuliki Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, enjoying birding stops along the way. The route offers scenic views of crater lakes, rolling hills, and the distant Rwenzori Mountains.
Arriving in the afternoon, you will have time to relax at your lodge while taking in the expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation:
-
Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 11
Queen Elizabeth – Birding & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Queen Elizabeth – Birding & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari
Begin your day with a birding session across the diverse habitats of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where wetlands, grasslands, and woodland ecosystems support an incredible variety of bird species.
In the afternoon, you will take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a highlight of any visit to the park. The channel attracts large concentrations of wildlife, including hippos, elephants, and buffalo, while its shores are lined with an abundance of water birds such as pelicans, herons, and kingfishers. The experience is both relaxing and visually spectacular.
- Main Destination:
- Kazinga Channel (Queen Elizabeth NP)
- Accommodation:
- Twin Lakes Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 12
Transfer to Bwindi (Ruhija Sector)
Transfer to Bwindi (Ruhija Sector)
After a morning birding session, you will travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically the Ruhija sector, known for its exceptional birding opportunities and cooler montane climate.
The drive is scenic and engaging, passing through terraced hillsides, local villages, and dense forest landscapes that signal your arrival in one of Africa’s most iconic national parks.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
-
Bakiga Lodge
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 13
Bwindi (Ruhija) – Birding & Gorilla Trekking
Bwindi (Ruhija) – Birding & Gorilla Trekking
You will begin the day with an early birding session in Ruhija, targeting some of the region’s most sought-after Albertine Rift endemics. The forest is often shrouded in mist, creating a magical atmosphere as bird calls echo through the trees.
In the afternoon, you will embark on the unforgettable experience of gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The trek can be challenging, but the reward of spending time in close proximity to a family of mountain gorillas is truly life-changing. Observing their gentle behavior and complex social interactions is a highlight that few wildlife experiences can match.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Bakiga Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 14
Return to Entebbe – Departure
Return to Entebbe – Departure
After breakfast, you will begin your return journey to Entebbe, with a stop at the Equator for photographs and a chance to purchase souvenirs. The drive offers a final opportunity to reflect on the incredible diversity of landscapes and experiences encountered throughout the safari.
You will arrive at Entebbe International Airport in time for your departure flight, marking the end of a truly unforgettable journey.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe (City)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
